Behavioral plasticity relies on adaptive, experience-dependent changes of activity in neural circuits mediating behavior. Due to intrinsic complexity of vertebrate brains, such changes can be accessed in a more direct way in simpler brains, with less neurons. Invertebrates combine the possibility of studying plastic changes in behavior, including learning and memory, adaptation and different forms of decision-making processes, with the use of multiple invasive techniques to study neural activity. Yet, variations in neuronal activity are usually related to molecular changes occurring within neurons. Understanding the role of molecular key players in behavioral plasticity is therefore a fundamental goal for neuroscience research. The characterization and understanding of molecular mechanisms of behavioral plasticity has gained a renewed appeal promoted by the sequencing of genomes of multiple invertebrate species. In addition, the advent of various molecular interference techniques allowing to knockdown and rescue specific genes and behavioral functions has provided new insights into the participation of targeted neural circuits in behavior. Overall, this set of novel tools and deeper integrative knowledge on invertebrate genomes has opened new research avenues for a better understanding of the role of specific genes, proteins and other molecular actors in behavioral phenomena.
The goal of our special issue is to focus on the molecular underpinnings of behavioral plasticity in invertebrates. In doing so, we aim at identifying common molecular mechanisms across species and behavioral contexts, and at highlighting the unique advantages and contributions of invertebrates for this goal.
Our editorial team consists of 3 internationally acknowledged specialists in invertebrate neurobiology who share a common interest for the molecular mechanisms of Invertebrate plasticity. They span a broad geographical area, thus allowing to target different audiences all around the world. Etsuro Ito, a specialist in mollusc neurobiology based in Japan, will collect manuscripts mainly from Asia; Varvara Dyakonova, specialized in mollusc and insect neurobiology based In Russia, will collect manuscripts from Eastern Europe; finally, Martin Giurfa, a specialist in insect neurobiology based In France, will collect manuscripts mainly from western Europe and North and South America.
Behavioral plasticity relies on adaptive, experience-dependent changes of activity in neural circuits mediating behavior. Due to intrinsic complexity of vertebrate brains, such changes can be accessed in a more direct way in simpler brains, with less neurons. Invertebrates combine the possibility of studying plastic changes in behavior, including learning and memory, adaptation and different forms of decision-making processes, with the use of multiple invasive techniques to study neural activity. Yet, variations in neuronal activity are usually related to molecular changes occurring within neurons. Understanding the role of molecular key players in behavioral plasticity is therefore a fundamental goal for neuroscience research. The goal of our special issue is to focus on the molecular underpinnings of behavioral plasticity in invertebrates. In doing so, we aim at identifying common molecular mechanisms across species and behavioral contexts, and at highlighting the unique advantages and contributions of invertebrates for this endeavor. Manuscripts addressing these levels of analyses are highly welcome in multiple forms (Brief Research Report, Methods, Mini Review, Opinion, Original Research, Perspective, Review, and Technology Report).
Behavioral plasticity relies on adaptive, experience-dependent changes of activity in neural circuits mediating behavior. Due to intrinsic complexity of vertebrate brains, such changes can be accessed in a more direct way in simpler brains, with less neurons. Invertebrates combine the possibility of studying plastic changes in behavior, including learning and memory, adaptation and different forms of decision-making processes, with the use of multiple invasive techniques to study neural activity. Yet, variations in neuronal activity are usually related to molecular changes occurring within neurons. Understanding the role of molecular key players in behavioral plasticity is therefore a fundamental goal for neuroscience research. The characterization and understanding of molecular mechanisms of behavioral plasticity has gained a renewed appeal promoted by the sequencing of genomes of multiple invertebrate species. In addition, the advent of various molecular interference techniques allowing to knockdown and rescue specific genes and behavioral functions has provided new insights into the participation of targeted neural circuits in behavior. Overall, this set of novel tools and deeper integrative knowledge on invertebrate genomes has opened new research avenues for a better understanding of the role of specific genes, proteins and other molecular actors in behavioral phenomena.
The goal of our special issue is to focus on the molecular underpinnings of behavioral plasticity in invertebrates. In doing so, we aim at identifying common molecular mechanisms across species and behavioral contexts, and at highlighting the unique advantages and contributions of invertebrates for this goal.
Our editorial team consists of 3 internationally acknowledged specialists in invertebrate neurobiology who share a common interest for the molecular mechanisms of Invertebrate plasticity. They span a broad geographical area, thus allowing to target different audiences all around the world. Etsuro Ito, a specialist in mollusc neurobiology based in Japan, will collect manuscripts mainly from Asia; Varvara Dyakonova, specialized in mollusc and insect neurobiology based In Russia, will collect manuscripts from Eastern Europe; finally, Martin Giurfa, a specialist in insect neurobiology based In France, will collect manuscripts mainly from western Europe and North and South America.
Behavioral plasticity relies on adaptive, experience-dependent changes of activity in neural circuits mediating behavior. Due to intrinsic complexity of vertebrate brains, such changes can be accessed in a more direct way in simpler brains, with less neurons. Invertebrates combine the possibility of studying plastic changes in behavior, including learning and memory, adaptation and different forms of decision-making processes, with the use of multiple invasive techniques to study neural activity. Yet, variations in neuronal activity are usually related to molecular changes occurring within neurons. Understanding the role of molecular key players in behavioral plasticity is therefore a fundamental goal for neuroscience research. The goal of our special issue is to focus on the molecular underpinnings of behavioral plasticity in invertebrates. In doing so, we aim at identifying common molecular mechanisms across species and behavioral contexts, and at highlighting the unique advantages and contributions of invertebrates for this endeavor. Manuscripts addressing these levels of analyses are highly welcome in multiple forms (Brief Research Report, Methods, Mini Review, Opinion, Original Research, Perspective, Review, and Technology Report).